Page 21 of Finn

“I liked her. I start on Monday.”

“I’m aware.”

“Finn—”

He chuckled, setting down his glass. “I already know what you’re about to say.”

I tilted my head, waiting.

“There will be no special treatment—in fact, I plan to have little to do with the day-to-day running of the hotels other than being the owner. That is what I expect the staff I hire to do. Which is why I only hire the best.”

I waved my fingers between us. “Isn’t this going to muddy those waters?”

“No. My private life is that. Private. Who I date has no significant impact on the hotel. I will rarely be in the building. I don’t make the decisions—Connie does. I won’t be directly supervising you. What happens between us stays between us.” He held up his hand. “And before you can ask, yes, Connie knows we’re involved. She is married to the manager and there is no issue there, so all is good, Una.”

“Involved?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “It’s our first date.”

He waited until our appetizers were set in front of us. He cut into his sizzling shrimp, taking a bite and chewing slowly, a pleased expression on his face. “Delicious.”

I tried my baked feta, spreading it on the warm toast, humming at the taste. “Agreed.”

He leaned closer, meeting my eyes, his serious. “The first of many,” he insisted.

“You’re so certain,” I mused.

“There was something the very moment I met you,” he replied. “You were too young and there was no way I would have acted on it, but I felt it again when I saw you at the funeral.” He paused. “I have never been able to move past that feeling, Una. Move past you. And this time, I didn’t want to take a chance and lose you.”

We were silent as I mulled over his words. I ate more of my appetizer, enjoying the saltiness of the feta and creamy garlic on the toast points. I saw Finn eye my plate, and with a smile, I handed him one of the delicious morsels. He ate it with gusto, placing a shrimp on my plate in return. It was garlicky and spicy, the shrimp bursting with flavor.

“I felt it too,” I admitted quietly. “Young or not, I felt something for you.”

“Then we’re on the same page.”

Dinner was smooth and enjoyable. Talking to Finn was easy. He listened to me. Really listened. He asked questions, answered mine honestly, thoughtfully.

“So do you still like to run?”

I nodded. “I do. It clears my head. I sometimes run in the park across from the hotel after work, but there’s another park by the house.”

He frowned. “Is it safe?”

“Yes. Lots of runners, bikes, and people taking their dogs for a walk. The paths are well lit, and I only run in the daytime,” I replied, my heart warming a little at his concern.

“Good. I wondered after they tore down the school.”

“You knew it was torn down?”

He sighed, wiping his mouth. “I worried, Una. About you running there in the evening.”

“You didn’t have to worry, Finn. They actually hired a security guard. He was there every…” I trailed off, something on his face giving him away.

“That was you?” I asked.

He nodded. “I had to stay away, but I had to make sure you were okay.”

“Finn,” I murmured.

“You already meant something. I needed to protect you.”